Taoiseach Brian Cowen today denied his leadership of Fianna Fáil would be in jeopardy if scores of his candidates get rejected at the ballot boxes.
Opinion polls suggest the senior Government partner faces a fierce voter backlash in the European and local elections as well as two by-elections in Dublin.
However Mr Cowen said during a canvass walk-about in Dublin South that he and Fianna Fáil ministers were taking difficult decisions in the national interest in order to revive the stalled economy.
“As far as I’m concerned I’m the democratically-elected leader of the Government and the Government will continue,” the Taoiseach said.
When asked if he felt secure as Fianna Fail leader, Mr Cowen replied: “Absolutely.”
Flanked by Fianna Fáil’s Dublin South candidate, Shay Brennan, on the William Dargan Luas Bridge, the Taoiseach added: “More and more people recognise that this is a campaign by a Government party that is prepared to take necessary decisions in the longterm interests of the country.
“At the end of the day, this Government will continue to implement the policies that are necessary.”
PA